Chapter 32
Johnny was waiting outside for Ned to arrive. Looking down and seeing the note from Alexis to Ned in his hand, he shook his head regretfully. 'It didn't have to be this way Ashton. If you had just thought of her first.'
Lifting his head when he felt someone touch him, he looked back at Gene, the security guard, then followed with his eyes to where Gene pointed to.
"Is that the guy, Johnny?"
"Yeah, that's him. Let me handle it, ok Gene? Just call Dr. Collins and let him know Ashton is here."
Stepping down from the steps leading to the front door, Johnny waited for Ned to get closer. Just as Ned started to pass him, Johnny reached out and caught his arm drawing him to a standstill.
"You're not going in, Ned."
"Yes, I am. And if I have to, I'll call security, the police, Kevin or whoever else I have to, but I am going in."
"No, you are not. And if you'd care to be a little more observant, I already have security out here and Kevin is on his way as well. I tried to tell you what was going on here and you were too arrogant, and insensitive to listen. Now, since you won't listen to me, maybe you will listen to Alexis. Just after I called you, I spoke to her and let her know that I told you she was awake and how you reacted. Her answer to your presence here is in this note that she personally wrote to you and asked me to deliver."
Seething, Ned ripped the note from Johnny's hand and took a couple of steps away to read it.
Dear Ned,
It seems that I was unable to handle the insaneness of my life after all. And evidently the last year was so traumatic, this brain of mine decided to hide it from me. Just to give you an idea of what I'm up against, the last thing I remember for sure is Chloe dying. I'm sure you'll understand what it is costing me to have to relive that moment all over again.
So, I hope you will understand my need to get a better handle on things before I begin having visitors. I have been told that you were the one who found me and I love you for taking care of me when I couldn't. As soon as I am steadier on my feet I will call you and we'll get together and talk about old times. At least those I remember. Please do not give Johnny a hard time; he is only doing what I have asked him to do. I just need some time to find my way once again.
Be my friend, Ned. Please.
Alexis
Johnny watched as Ned read the note, fold it and place it in his pocket. Just as Ned turned back toward his car he looked back at Johnny.
"Give her a message for me, Johnny. Just tell her, 'No Harm'. And... thanks… for taking care of her."
"Ned, can you pass the word along. And if you'd like, I'll call when I can to let you know how she's doing."
"Yea, I'll pass the word along and I'll look for your call."
As Ned walked away dejectedly, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. Hoping that would be the end of unwelcome attitudes and guests, Johnny looked back toward Gene and saw Kevin had joined him. Smiling at the two of them he went to join them.
"Gene, we shouldn't have any more problems so you can open back up. Thanks for helping me out."
"No problem, Johnny. Any time you need anything, just ring."
Waiting until Gene reentered the building, Johnny turned back to Kevin.
"That went a little smoother than I expected it to. I don't know what she wrote in that note, but it sure worked."
"Johnny, tell me how she's really doing. From a doctor's standpoint."
"Well, the decision to not see Ned was hers based on his reaction to her being awake. And she wrote the note on her own which evidently got the point across. I'd say she's doing pretty good. I mean, it seems like she's thinking about what's good for her and the baby rather than catering to everybody else like she always did before. I'm proud of the way she handled this."
"Sounds like she's becoming smarter about how to deal with pushy people. Johnny, I'd really like to talk to her. I give you my word I won't push and I won't talk to her about anything other that her medical condition. I need to get a look at her pupils and see how the relaxant is effecting her. I know she's probably doing ok from what you're telling me, but there is just so much you have no idea about. Talk to her Johnny. Get her to give me just 5 minutes in my office."
"You gonna be around awhile?"
"For the next couple of hours at least."
"I'll go talk to her and if she agrees we'll meet you in your office in a few minutes."
"Thanks, Johnny. I never would have guessed she'd be so hard on me."
"It's not you, Kevin. She is just trying to protect herself."
"I know. That's why I'm not pushing her. She needs to learn how to protect herself even if it is from me. I'll be waiting for you, Johnny."
Entering the building they parted ways, Johnny to go back to Alexis and Kevin back to his office to wait for her to make the right decision about seeing him.
*************
"Is he ok, Johnny? Did I hurt him? Did he leave? You didn't hit him did you?"
Johnny barely got in the door before Alexis assaulted him with questions.
"Alexis, he's fine. He read the note and told me to tell you 'No Harm'."
Sighing in relief she smiled and replied with a whisper, 'No Foul'.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, nothing. Just something Ned and I share. What else, Johnny?"
"He said he would wait for you to call when you're ready and that he would pass the message along. Everything is fine. Now stop worrying. You did the right thing and not only do I know it, but you know it and so does Ned now. But, I have to tell you I had somebody else out there backing me up in case I needed it."
Knowing what was coming, Alexis gave in and asked anyway.
"Who, Johnny? Kevin?"
"Yes. He was standing behind me ready to jump in if I needed help. Alexis, he has asked if you'll go see him for just 5 minutes. That's all, just 5 minutes."
"Why? Didn't you tell him I was doing fine? I am Johnny. I'm trying to do everything I'm supposed to in order to get myself out of here. What does he want from me?"
Smiling gently at her, he put his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently.
"He wants to see your pupils. That's all."
Seeing the twinkle in his eye, Alexis laughed.
"Just what does he want to see my pupils for?"
"Well, he wants to see how the relaxant is doing?"
"Is that all, Johnny?"
"That's what he said and what I agreed to if you decided to see him."
"You know, maybe I should hire you as my bodyguard."
The pain sliced through the side of her head before she had a chance to grab it. Waiting a moment to regain her equilibrium she looked back at Johnny's concerned face.
"It's ok. It's gone. It didn't hurt quite as much that time and didn't stay as long either. Maybe I'm getting used to it now. Come on; let's go see Kevin. And I'm holding you to that 5 minutes."
Walking into Kevin's office a few minutes later, Alexis smiled at the look of eagerness and relief from Kevin.
"Thank you, Alexis. Whether you believe it or not I've missed you. I don't have anyone else around here capable of giving me as hard a time as you do. And I promise I'll stick to the agreement of 5 minutes, I just want to see how your pupils are reacting given the dosage I have you on and if everything checks out, I think I would like to change it to a milder dosage. Sound ok to you?"
Laughing at his nervousness, Alexis sat down in the chair in front of his desk and glanced back at Johnny reassuringly.
"That was a mouthful, Kevin. You need to relax yourself. I hear you stood behind my buddy here a few minutes ago. Thank you."
"It was the least I could do for your 'doctor' since he's doing so well with your care. I'm almost embarrassed to say it, but I don't think I could do any better for you."
"He is quite the man. I think I've decided to keep him around for a long time to come."
Blushing profusely at the compliments he was receiving, Johnny interjected a quip of his own.
"I think Joy would have something to say about that, partner. You have 4 more minutes so leave me out of your little session here thank you very much."
Laughing freely she leaned back a little more and punched Johnny on the arm.
"Ok, Kevin. Take a peek at my eyeballs and let me get back to recuperating."
"Yes, ma'am. Your wish is my command."
"As it should be, right Johnny?"
"Right. Geez, give her an inch and she takes a mile."
Pulling his ophthalmoscope from his pocket, Kevin checked the reflexive response to light in both of Alexis' eyes, then sat back satisfactorily.
"Any dizziness, headaches or brief lapses in consciousness?"
"No. At least not like what you're probably asking about."
"What do you mean?"
"I get piercing bouts of pain every once in a while when something familiar is said. But, I don't lose consciousness. The pain comes then goes just as quickly. But, I wasn't too worried since Johnny said it was normal in the process of remembering."
Kevin smiled sarcastically.
"Yes, Johnny would know something like that based on his medical degree. At least throw me a bone here once in a while, counselor."
Laughing at his attempt to pull off a joke, Alexis glanced back at Johnny and saw he was getting agitated because time was up.
"It's ok, Johnny. Relax and sit a minute. I mean I do owe him at least a chance to earn his pay. We'll leave in just another minute or so."
She watched as Johnny leaned against the door, knowing he wouldn't relax until she was on her way back to her room. Turning back to Kevin she became serious.
"Kevin, I apologize for cutting you off. It just got to be a bit too much and I need to be able to feel safe here. With you coming at me like you did, I felt like I was having to fight for my very existence. So, I made Johnny agree to a few stipulations. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
Kevin walked around his desk and sat on the front of it taking her hands in his.
"Somewhere along the way someone sold you a bill of goods that you took to heart and it has kept you from realizing the potential you have within you. I see so much in you, in the depth of those beautiful eyes of yours and in that bottomless heart as well. It astounds me that you can't see it. I'm here to tell you, whoever that someone was could use a healthy dose of the woman I know sitting right in front of me. Your apologies are not necessary."
Moving off the desk without releasing her hands, Kevin knelt in front of her.
"In looking into your eyes I see an enormous amount of love just waiting to be shared. But, because you've never had a successful experience with love you hold your ability to love hostage; fearing the hurt that has always accompanied the sharing of love in your life. You hold yourself at a distance from the very ones who need your love and crave it."
Moving away from the door, Johnny pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to Alexis. He knelt on the other side of her and lay his hand on her arm to draw her attention.
"Hey, you ok?"
At her nod that she was, Johnny squeezed her arm gently and moved back a little to give her a little more room. He didn't want to interrupt what Kevin was trying to accomplish with her and he knew he would thank Kevin later for trying to help her the way he was.
Kevin stopped speaking to Alexis and looked to Johnny, waiting to see if he would be allowed to continue. Johnny smiled a bit and nodded his head at Kevin urging him to go on.
"Alexis, do I need to back off? I don't want you to feel ambushed here. I was only supposed to check you out medically, I just got a little carried away and for that I apologize."
Alexis paused before answering. She was well aware that a lot of what Kevin was saying was the truth, and that being the case, then Kevin had to have been talking about her outside the walls of the sanitarium again.
"It's ok, Kevin. But, I have a question for you. Have you been talking to my brother again?"
"I can honestly say that I have not spoken to anyone in your family about you since you informed me that it was no longer an option without your permission. What I know was obtained before you woke up. And if that is a problem, then you have my word that I will not bring it up again. I am just desperate to help you put the pieces of your life back together."
"I'm so sorry for making this so difficult for you, Kevin. I'm just kind of working without a net here and it's a little daunting."
"Alexis,do not ever apologize for taking care of or asking for what you need to survive the ups and downs of your life. If you felt in any way threatened by my presence or what I was saying, then you did the right thing. In taking care of the situation with Ned this afternoon, you did the right thing. What you need to keep reminding yourself is that no matter what your past was or how many times you were told how inferior you were, the exact opposite is true. You are more than capable and intelligent enough to make emotional decisions based on what is right for you. You are a very attractive intelligent woman who actually does have the capacity to choose her own way. The only problem I see is that you have allowed someone to so diminish your worth in your own eyes, that you cannot see your true value outside your legal acumen. And that in my opinion is the most egregious of criminal acts imaginable especially for a woman of your stature."
Standing quickly, ready to escape the confines of the office, Alexis pulled both Kevin and Johnny up to stand beside her.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure you both probably know who that was, and I am by no means ready to go there yet. I don't want to think about her and I am asking that you not mention her again until I am ready. There, is that strong enough?"
Both men noticed her small sly smile and the hint of a twinkle in her eye, but they were also very aware of the tension that had fallen in the room. Lifting his arm for her to take, Johnny took the situation in hand. It was time for Alexis to be rescued.
"Come on, partner. I feel the need for some microwave popcorn. How about you?"
Relieved and grateful for Johnny's insight, Alexis took his arm and clung to him.
"That sounds heavenly. Lead on o'great protector of mine."
Looking back once, she smiled at Kevin and whispered a quiet 'Thank you' and felt relieved as he waved her on without hesitation.
